Bill Nelson says he's not running for governor, but not everyone believes him

Anthony Man/Sun Sentinel

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, left, and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch before both speak to the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale at the Westin Cypress Creek Hotel on May 10, 2013.

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, left, and U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch before both speak to the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale at the Westin Cypress Creek Hotel on May 10, 2013. (Anthony Man/Sun Sentinel)

Anthony ManSun Sentinel

U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., said Friday in Fort Lauderdale he has “no plans” to run for governor next year, but declined to give a Shermanesque statement flatly declaring it’s something he wouldn’t do.

Speaking to about 175 Realtors and 20 mayors of Broward cities at the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Nelson said he didn’t want his remarks to be taken as indications of future political plans.

He went on to decry Republican-controlled state government for failing to approve an expansion of the Medicaid program for the poor, the cost of which would be covered by the federal government.

And during the Q&Q, he excoriated state government for allowing the insurance industry “to rule the roost” in Tallahassee, which he said is the reason the state hasn’t acted to fix the high cost of windstorm insurance.

Yet he also hinted at how much he enjoys life as a senator who has built up seniority at age 70, he noted his chairmanship of the Senate Aging Committee and the Subcommittee on Science and Space.

Later, in an interview, he said people should take him at his word that he has isn’t planning on running. Here’s the back and forth:

Nelson: “I’ve already told you. I have no plans of running for governor. I have no intention of running for governor,” he said.

Reporter: If your plans were to change, when would he have to make a decision?

Nelson: “How can it change? I mean I told you the best I can tell you. You guys just can’t accept what I say. So you think that I look like I am enjoying my job now that I’m getting some seniority in the Senate?”

Reporter: Yes you do. But is this Shermanesque, you’re absolutely not going to do it?

Nelson: “I’ve said what I’ve said. It’s clear. I have no plans to run for governor.”

Still, the political world is waiting to see what Nelson really decides.

“He’s the most well respected and most popular statewide Democrat in Florida. Whatever he decides to do he’ll receive overwhelming support. He’ll be great at it,” said U.S. Rep. Ted Deutch, D-Boca Raton, in a brief interview before he received an award from the Realtors and introduced Nelson.

(For the record, Nelson is the only statewide elected Democrat.)

“Ultimately Senator Nelson throws a lot of weight around in this state, and I think everyone is anxious to see what kind of decision he makes before anyone focuses in on the governor’s race,” Deutch said.